Prediction time

In the picks we make for the paper today, I called for a 27-21 victory by Seattle tonight against the 49ers.

My reasonings? Here are a few:

— The home field advantage. Seattle is simply just so hard to beat at home right now, going 8-0 last season and 17-7 under Pete Carroll (and 59-29 in the history of CenturyLink Field). Location, location, location is definitely one mantra that suits the Seahawks right now.

— Turnovers. Seattle gets so many home field wins by forcing turnovers — something that the home crowd undoubtedly plays a role in by getting opponents off their game, even if just for a split second. Seattle is 18-3 under Carroll when winning the turnover battle and have finished in the top eight in turnovers each of the past two years and won the turnover battle last week at Carolina, seeming to prove none of it is a fluke.

— Marshawn Lynch. He has rushed for 100 yards or more the last three times Seattle has played the 49ers. And simply put, he and the Seahawks seem to know the way to exploit a San Francisco defense that has looked a little more vulnerable of late.

— The return of Cliff Avril. He should help the pass rush quite a bit, and just in time.

Think I’m right on? Crazy? As always, happy to hear your views in the comments section.